Turns out that those cheering plant workers behind President Trump at the Pennsylvania petrochemical plant didn’t have many choices when it came to attending the event. In fact, they only had three choices: either attend the event to get paid, use paid time off, or don’t attend and not get paid for the day. Oh, and if…
At Black Enterprise, every month is about black business. But since August is officially recognized as National Black Business Month, now is the perfect time to do a little summer reading about some standout black entrepreneurs.
Travel Noire and Ebony both have roundups of the black businesses they think are worth your support. There are a number of impressive black-owned companies listed, including Me & the Bees Lemonade, started by Mikaila Ulmer, who made a deal on Shark Tank at the ripe old age of 10.
Speaking of the next generation, BET‘s coverage is all about young entrepreneurs, with profiles of “15 kid bosses who are 15 years old and under.”
Mikaila Ulmer (Image: Me & The Bees)
Even brands are getting in on the celebration of National Black Business Month. Intuit highlighted eight African American entrepreneurs from its QuickBooks community, including Monique Greenwood, owner and operator of Akwaaba Inns.
Monique Greenwood (Image: Twitter)
American Express, which supports small business year-round, is marking the month by sharing what motivated 11 different African Americans to become entrepreneurs.
“I was motivated by helping others succeed and creating tangible change in the lives of black business owners in my community,” Diishan Imira told Amex. Imira, a former speaker at the Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Summit, is the founder of beauty startup Mayvenn, which raised $23 million in funding last year.
Diishan Imira (Image: Mayvenn)
If local coverage is more your thing, you can check out amNewYork‘s interviews with black entrepreneurs about how they make it work in the Big Apple. South Florida Caribbean News is doing a series of National Black Small Business Month spotlights. And Qcitymetro is marking the occasion with 10 stories of small business in Charlotte, where Black Enterprise held our first-ever FWD summit for entrepreneurs of color earlier this year.
And if you want to learn more about black business without reading a single word, take a look at NewsOne‘s video about Strivers’ Row, a project bringing awareness to black businesses in New York City, or Good Morning America‘s spotlight of Larry’s Seasoned Pickles founder Larry Wilson in a National Black Business Month video.
“There was Brenda, LaTisha, Linda, Felicia, Dawn, LeShaun, Ines and Alicia, Teresa, Monica, Sharron, Nicki, Lisa, Veronica, Karen, Vicky (damn), Cookie, well I met her in a ice cream parlor, Tonya, Diane, Lori and Carla, Marina, Selena, Katrina, Sabrina, about three Kims (WHAT?) LaToya and Tina, Shelley, Bridget,…
No matter what your age, taking on a side hustle can be a smart move. Many retirees are turning to side hustles to make ends meet and fight the post-work world boredom. But a side hustle can be even more valuable for young people, and these extra jobs can provide a lasting impact on their lives. For the young, the value of a side hustle goes far beyond the extra cash, although a few additional dollars certainly does not hurt. Whether you are fresh out of college or still in high school, here are four significant benefits of a side hustle.
Their high school and college days may be over, but young people are still learning valuable skills. From how to communicate effectively in the workplace to how to project a professional image, young people are continually learning and growing. Younger workers are also busy learning new skills, abilities that could help them move up the corporate ladder and land the next promotion. A side hustle can help those young workers learn new skills—skills they can use to enhance their full-time careers.
It is no secret that student loan debt is out of control, or that many college graduates are having trouble paying what they owe. With the average student loan debt well into five figures, repayment can be a real problem, even for workers blessed with good-paying jobs. By taking on a side hustle while they are still young, those debt-ridden college graduates can get a head start on what they owe. Paying off that college loan debt can then free up cash for other essentials, like saving up for a first home or putting money aside for retirement.
[RELATED: MOREHOUSE LAUNCHES NEW FUND TO HELP ELIMINATE STUDENT LOAN DEBT]
A troubling percentage of younger workers have no savings at all, and even more, have very little put away. Having an emergency fund is an absolute must, and something a side hustle can help with. Beyond the emergency fund, a side hustle can also help young people boost their retirement savings. The side hustle alone may not fully fund those goals, but it could be a big help.
[RELATED: YOUR MONEY, YOUR LIFE PODCAST – “WAYS TO FINANCE YOUR EMERGENCY FUND”]
Networking has never been more critical, but making lasting and meaningful connections can be particularly tough for young people. Even if they are continually meeting new people online and off, forging valuable relationships and building a network are challenging tasks. By incorporating a side hustle (or two) into their lives, those younger workers can expand their networks more effectively. You never know when those connections will come in handy, and having them available could help you land your next job or start your own business.
If you think side hustles are for retirees and cash-strapped seniors, you need to think again. No matter what your age, taking on a side hustle can provide valuable benefits, some of them monetary, some of them social, and all of them essential.
